Introduction To Literature

CONTENT

• DEFINITION
• TYPES OF LITERATURE
• SOURCES OF LITERATURE
• PURPOSES OF LITERATURE

DEFINITION

The term literature derives its origin from the adjective, ‘Literate’, which can be interpreted to mean ability to read and write. ‘Literature’ can mean in its widest sense everything written in every discipline. Thus, books on economics, history, chemistry, law, football, chess or even company brochures etc. can pass for literature in these spheres of life. However, the literature we are keen to talk about here is that which refers to those writings that creative or imaginative. It is those artistic expressions in which the writer’s imagination has played a prominent role in their production. A literature writer is called a Litterateur while a small group of people in a society who knows a lot about literature is known as Literati.

TYPES OF LITERATURE

Literature can be divided into two broad types. These are fiction and non fiction.

FICTION

Is a story invented by someone, it is not real. It is the creation of the writer with the aim of eliciting literary reactions from readers. It is a story that centres on imaginary people and events. A writer of fiction may take a story line from real event, and people and then change some details about them and subsequently add some imaginary characters in order to make it real and plausible (e.g.) Purple Hibiscus.

NON-FICTION

This is the direct opposite of fictitious literature. Non-fictions are books, journals, novels, plays, poems and articles that centre on real facts or events which were not created or imagined (e.g.) Women of Owu.

EVALUATION

1    Give an elaborate definition of literature.

2    Write extensively on the types of literature.

SOURCES OF LITERATURE

Literature takes its source from;

• Folklore
• Festivals
• Rituals
• Myths
• Legends
• Oral Poetry

1. FOLKLORE: These are traditional stories that take their roots from the culture of a particular group of people. It is usually a fictitious but elaborate story accepted by people and transmitted from one generation to another through the medium of speech. Folklore consists of folkheroes. These are persons admired by people in a particular society, because of their alleged positive and long time influence on their people and society at large. FOLKDANCE: Is a kind of traditional dance from a particular area. The folkdance is usually done by a folkdancer. FOLKMUSIC is a traditional music that has been played by ordinary people in a particular area for a long time. It is a style of popular music in which people sing and play with the aid of traditionally made guitars without any electronic equipment.

• FESTIVALS: Festivals are occasions where there are performances of many films, plays and piece of music. Festival is a period in a year, regularly marked out for public gaiety and feasting. It is also a special occasion when people celebrate something such as religious events, and it is usually associated most often with a public holiday. Festival consists of traditional ceremonies which reveal the culture and tradition of the people.

• RITUAL: This is a ceremony that is always performed in the same way in order to mark an important religious or social occasion. It is also a form of religious obligation performed with the sole mission of appeasing traditional gods and deities.

• MYTH: This is an idea or story that many people believe which may or may not be true. It is also an ancient story, especially those ones invented in order to explain natural or historical events. Myth is also an imaginary story of gods, heroes, heroines and supernatural beings which the society holds in high esteem. This form of story is usually rendered orally.

• LEGEND: An old, well known story, often centred on adventure of brave people, or magical events. A legend could mean someone who is famous and admired for being extremely good at doing something.

• ORAL POETRY: This is poetry done by word of mouth. That is, it is rendered orally. The purpose is to praise an event, individual or society for great deeds. Poems under this are known as praise poem or panegyric.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1    Define the following (a) festival (b) legend (c) oral poetry

2    Discuss the purpose of literature.

WEEKEND ASSGNMENT

1. Literature has ____ genres. (a) eight (b) play (c) one (d) three
2. ____ mirrors life. (a) film (b) literature (c) camera (d) textbook
3. Folklore and festival are classed under ____ literature. (a) light (b) tragic (c) spoken (d) literary
4. Panegyric is a form of ____ poetry. (a) verb (b) oral (c) old (d) written
5. ____ is an element of literature. (a) Fable (b) Festival (c) Plot (d) Lyrical poetry.

THEORY

1.   Discuss folklore as a source of literature.

2.   Give three definitions of literature you know.

READING ASSINGMENT

Essential Literature in English for SSS by Ibitola A.O., pgs. 1- 4.